Western Civ

For the last two weeks, we have been focused on Europe and Asia, but now we come back to the United States. While Hitler has assumed power in Germany and while Japan expands into Manchuria, most Americans are still just trying to deal with the Great Depression. In this episode, we follow FDR as he navigates America through its worst economic crisis and toward a second world war. 

Western Civ 2.0 

This is a preview of what you can expect if you subscribe to the Patreon feed. Every once and a while I like to provide one of these. 

In this episode, I cover the long reign of Antoninus Pius, one of the "good" emperors who ruled the Roman Empire at its height. There are really two ways to read Antoninus: the careful manager or the fool who ignored problems that would come home to roost under Marcus Aurelius. As usual, I think the truth is somewhere in between. 

If you would like a free trial of Western Civ 2.0, you can sign up HERE and support the show.

I've wanted to move to Asia for a long time. And we're finally getting there. Today we discuss the development of Japan and China in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. 

Western Civ 2.0

The Depression did not only impact the United States. It hit Europe as well because the world economy had become too interconnected for this to be a one-country issue anymore. And Europe responded to the crisis much differently than America. America turned to FDR. Germany turned to Hitler. And I am guessing you know the rest...

Western Civ 2.0

Before FDR the idea of a "First Hundred Days" was not a thing. But Roosevelt was so incredibly active during that period that ever since American Presidents have been judged by his standard. Today I cover Roosevelt's First Hundred Days, what legislation he passed, what worked, and what didn't. 

Western Civ 2.0

At first, the Wall Street Crash of 1929 is seen as a Wall Street issue. But it does not take long before the Great Depression grips the nation. Plus, in the high plains, the earth itself begins to come apart.

Western Civ 2.0 Free Trial

The Great Wall Street Crash did not cause the Great Depression. But it sure didn't help either...

Western Civ 2.0 

In a fun little twist, today I sit down with Attorney Edward Cohn and we argue (and sometimes agree) about the justness of plea bargaining, the state of the Fifth and Fourth Amendments, and the overall state of our justice system. 

Attorney Cohn is a 23-year litigation attorney, currently practicing as a criminal defense attorney and legal commentator. He’s one of fewer than 10% of attorneys nationwide to have earned an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has achieved full jury acquittals on charges ranging from domestic violence to felony fleeing law enforcement. His background is as rigorous as it is practical: Edward holds an LL.M. from Boston University, a certificate in negotiation from Harvard Kennedy School, and is licensed to practice in Arizona, Michigan, and Massachusetts.

Jazz. Radio. Talkies. Cars. All of it. The Roaring Twenties are when the world starts to look modern. Oh, and did I mention fascism, corruption, and the KKK? Well, there's that too. 

Western Civ 2.0

This one is new.

I'm trying my hand at fiction interviews and, I have to say, I enjoyed it.Here I am sitting down with Jeffrey Stephens and we are talking about his newest book: Illusions of Trust. It's a lovely legal thriller with twists and turns and simply wonderful character development. I hope you enjoy the interview.

You can buy the book HERE.